Chapter 35: The Aftermath

Silence descends on the group, as they realize the utter finality of Thatcher's action. Even Nathalia seems to be in shock at the sight of the crushed amulet on the floor. She closes her eyes, with a sigh of defeat.

Addison shrinks back against the sofa, trying to become invisible. A hard task when one is the only mortal in a room filled with vampires. The scene playing out before is completely beyond her wildest dreams. She bites her lip, wishing she was safely at home, in bed, with the TV on, or doing surgery – anything but this. Maybe this is just a dream, and if she blinks, it will all go away. The luxurious room suddenly seems too warm, as she looks around to find a way to escape.

In an instant, Mark is behind her, his hands at her shoulders. She flinches, caught totally off guard by his swift movement. "Oh…look, I really should just go…"

"Not just yet, Dr. Montgomery," he murmurs, exerting slight pressure on her thoughts to calm her. "As soon as we take care of this little problem, I'll be happy to escort you home." He glances back to where Thatcher confers quietly with Derek and Meredith. Alexei is holding onto Nathalia, who is standing now, her head bowed. The thick fall of coppery hair shimmers in the lights, hiding her face.

"I guess she does look a little like me, in some ways," Addison comments. "But my hair isn't that gorgeous…"

Mark grins. "Yours is quite lovely, Addison…may I call you that?" He leans in a little closer. "I've always been partial to red heads." Along with the delicate skin that flushes so easily, betraying her emotions. He senses the pulse points, her quickened breathing.

"Oh, of course…" Addison nods.

"Good, I feel like we know each other well enough, after all this…" Even though he knows that he needs to clear all her memory of this. Perhaps after taking a little taste…

Derek looks over at Mark, shaking his head briefly, as Thatcher and Veronique take Nathalia in hand. They will make sure to keep her under lock and key until the next night. Then the jet will fly them to the farthest reach of Alaska, to leave her in isolation there. "It's nice and dark there, for long stretches of time," Alexei smirks. "Chilly…but dark…"

Meredith smiles at him, feeling relieved it all ended so quickly. "Good thing you showed up when you did."

"Just in the right place at the right time," he shrugs. "Looks like Mark is keeping our other guest occupied."

"Oh, yes, that's Dr. Montgomery…she was being used to trick us. We caught her lurking around my old house," Meredith explains softly.

"Mark never misses a chance to make time with a pretty woman," Derek observes, raising one eyebrow. He takes Meredith's hand then. "Are you all right?" He brushes a kiss across her cheek, intimate and possessive, sharing a simmering look of emotions, his eyes searching hers.

"I'm good," she assures him, squeezing his hand. Catching his thoughts, his distinctly provocative thoughts, and she winks at him.

The little intimate gestures don't go unnoticed by Nathalia, even in her current state of capture. Her lip curls, fangs showing, and she makes a lunge towards Meredith. Moaning in a low snarl, as she tries to break free of Thatcher. "Damnit…do you think he really cares about you? Ask him about me…ask him how many times he frequented my bed. Do you really believe a vampire is capable of being faithful – especially one like him?" she hisses, her feet skidding for traction on the floor.

Derek growls at her, baring his own fangs in anger. "Nathalia, you know Meredith is my bonded mate, as well as my wife…you know what that means in our culture. There will never be anyone else again for me." His voice is icy cold, as he makes it clear to her, he will not tolerate this. "And maybe I shouldn't have stopped her from killing you, now that I think about it."

This time Meredith places her hand on his arm, to hold him back. Feeling his muscles bunch under her fingertips, as he tries to restrain himself. "She's not worth it, baby. You were right."

Thatcher jerks Nathalia back into place. "You don't learn, do you?" he sighs.

"Child, you need to sleep," Veronique says quietly, stepping forward and staring into Nathalia's emerald eyes. "Relax…you are getting very sleepy…like day sleep, you cannot resist…" Her delicate fingers reach forward, touching the other woman's temple, as she continues to murmur soothing words of hypnotic suggestion. Within moments, Nathalia slumps downward, eyes closed, as she tumbles into a deep sleep.

"Thank you, love," Thatcher murmurs. "Your talent at that is very useful from time to time."

Veronique winks at him. "I only use it as a last resort, cherie. Now, let us get her into some restraints for the rest of her time here."

"Agreed."

Thatcher lets his eyes sweep over Mark and Addison then. "You will look after the good doctor, then, Mark?"

"My pleasure, sir."

You know what you have to do…

Cleanse her memory, yes.

Good.

Thatcher holds Addison's gaze for a moment. "I'm sorry you were involved in this, Dr. Montgomery. I trust you will have no ill effects of this situation, and that you were not inconvenienced in any way." He sends his own calming thoughts to her, convincing her that there is nothing to be concerned about. Not that he doesn't trust Mark, but just in case. "If there is anything, I can help you with, I would be happy to do so."

"Um…no, it's fine. My pager hasn't gone off, so nobody needed me at the hospital," Addison finds herself saying. Then as if on cue, the pager does go off, the slim device hidden in the pocket of her jacket. "Oh, hell…just when you think everything is okay…"

"Are you needed for surgery?" Meredith asks, her interest piqued.

"Looks like one of my patients is having difficulties," Addison says softly. "Will you take me?" She looks at Mark.

"Absolutely. And I can wait for you to finish, if you like, to take you home, since you have no other ride."

"Seriously, that's not necessary. I can take a cab from the hospital when I'm done – I have no idea how long I'm going to be."

"I can wait."

"You're awfully intent for someone I've just met," Addison protests, raising one perfectly groomed eyebrow. Seemingly forgetting about the rest of the group standing on the opposite side of the room, she flushes a little, wondering if she is getting foolish ideas about him. Imagining what it would be like to have him kiss her, and getting lost in full body contact, hot, sweaty, lose-your-mind sex. After their encounter in the car, when he had seemed to want to get closer to her, the thought of his mouth on her throat is unsettling, yet erotic.

It's beyond ridiculous – she really must be losing her mind here. No, just because he is seemingly available and maybe interested in her as a woman, doesn't mean she is going to act on it. God, she hasn't been a silly female around men, even when she was younger. Addison Forbes Montgomery is never silly.

Mark gives her a strange look, as if he is able to tell her thoughts, and she looks away from him, towards Meredith again. "I'm going to say good-bye, and it was…interesting…meeting all of you. Best of luck, Meredith, in whatever you do now. I can tell you that the hospital lost a valuable asset when you left." She nods briefly, and turns to go, only to realize she isn't sure now which way to go.

"This way…" Mark whispers, taking her elbow to steer her in the right direction.

Don't do anything crazy, old friend…

Not to worry, Derek. I'll be a perfect gentleman….

As he leads her outside, his hand rests at the small of her back, until they reach the BMW coupe parked outside. He moves easily to open the passenger door for her, brushing against her. "I'm sorry," he murmured, "I shouldn't be this close, should I?" Giving her a sensual grin, that makes her pulse jump. He enjoys the little increase in her heart rate, the little sharp intake of her breath. She may not be a silly woman, but he knows there is something beneath the cool exterior that needs to be brought to life.

"No…you probably shouldn't." Yet Addison finds herself leaning towards him, as his hand runs along her back, along the curves hidden by the black velour track jacket. Ever so slowly, he kisses the hollow of her throat where the pulse beckons him, licking the skin exposed by the zipper that is pulled open there. Addison moans involuntarily, letting her body relax. He captures her mouth with his, and her mouth opens easily. His tongue is warm and wet, sliding along the length of hers, suddenly making her weak, and turning her inside out from wanting him. The kiss is hot and deep, and with just enough heat to make her want to keep going.

Almost.

But then her pager buzzes insistently yet again, breaking into the moment, and she tears away. She takes a deep breath, her eyes meeting his. "This is so not like me," she confesses. "Will you really wait for me later?"

"You can count on it," Mark grins, giving her a fleeting kiss again, before helping her into the car.

Meredith backs away from the windows of their penthouse, one week after the wedding and subsequent capture of Nathalia. They had closed up the house there, and returned to London shortly afterward, with Thatcher taking the captive to the location in Alaska. He deigned to say exactly where, and quite honestly, Meredith is just as happy not to know. If he wants to tell her when he is ready to let her take over, that's his business.

"You're looking pensive," Derek observes, appearing behind her. His lips brush her temple as his arms go around her waist. "Hmmm…you smell delectable, by the way."

Meredith feels the little vibration of his voice as he presses against her. "I'm just happy to be here, that things have calmed down again."

His hands creep higher, along her ribcage. "Well, we still have that sojourn to Paris planned. Are you ready to continue our honeymoon? Or should we just stay here?"

"You did promise me Paris and Rome, and I recall a conversation when we first met about that as well. Taking long walks in the moonlight…though at the time, I had the thought it was more romantic than required…"

"I still want to take you everywhere," he murmurs. His mouth glides along her cheek, just as his hands cup her breasts over the silk of her light dress. "But right now, I just want to take you…" He concentrates on rubbing the delicate silk over her, gently and slowly, feeling her nipples harden immediately. Feeling her pulse quicken and her scent change to feminine arousal.

Meredith quivers under his touch, at the slide of silk over her skin. She had put on the sexy little dress, with the strappy sandals, intending to go shopping for their trip. The little halter top is tied at her neck, and he gently tugs one of the ties away. The silk slithers along her chest, falling away from her easily. "Derek…"

"Shh…"

The threat of Nathalia coming between them had been a minor issue. Yet he wants to make it clear as always that she is the only woman for him for the rest of their long life together. "You are so right, love. I'm only yours."

Meredith sighs, recalling her words, that he was her mate forever. Before any trouble with Nathalia, she realized. The threat had been averted, yet her furious reaction to the other woman had been unexpected. She hadn't realized her possessive jealousy had been so strong. "Good…"

Derek spins her around, pushing her against the window. Placing his hands on the glass, on either side of her. The little dress is hanging off her, as he lowers his mouth to her breast. Taking his time, driving her to distraction. His teeth graze her, dragging along the skin. Igniting little points of desire everywhere he touches her. Her own hands dance over his back, urging him closer. He drops to his knees, pushing her legs apart gently, searching for the dancing pulse of her blood. So, so close to the vein, until he finds the exact spot and bites her there, sending hot thrills along her spine. She moves against his mouth, as he tastes the sweet drug of her blood. Sliding his fingers higher, against the soft skin, teasing her with the searching touch.

So sweet…

Meredith surrenders to the heat that takes her away, losing herself to the way he makes her feel, again and again.

More…

Derek strokes the tiny puncture closed, sliding his tongue higher then, tasting her other sweetness. Dancing along the moist skin, until she is vibrating. Backing against the window, her hands slide along the cool slickness, leaving damp tracks on the glass as he takes her higher into bliss. Cumming in a soft rush of breathing, convulsing against his touch.

"I want you…all of you…" he warns her suddenly, his voice as silky as sin against her ear. Wanting her moving over him, their clothing no longer impeding his relentless desire.

"Yes…" Meredith sighs, helping him, wrapping around him. In a blink of an eye, he has them sinking into the plush duvet on their bed, their bodies entwined. He slides up into her so swiftly, so deeply that she cries out in delight. With a low growl, he rolls them over, and she finds herself looking down at him. Squeezing tightly around him, she leans back, and he pushes up hard into her again and again. Soft little cries rise in her throat, and the sound sends heat sliding down his spine to settle in his groin.

She pulls herself back up and bends forward to kiss him, her hair in a glorious tangle around them. He pushes his fingers into the thick mass and falls into the fever of making love to her. So hot, so wild, her mouth melting against him, as they pulse together. The heat in their bodies spreads, becoming more intense, pushing him on, up into her. The rhythm is mesmerizing - sweet hot passion all the way, harder and faster, until she arches away from him again, crying out, and everything in him releases, every ounce pouring into her as she contracts around him in waves. They give themselves over to the pleasure, as it drags them both into ecstasy.

Meredith sprawls over him, in the aftermath of their intense lovemaking, blanketing him with her body. "You realize we may never get out of here," she giggles softly, kissing his chest. His hand plays along her back, as he considers her words. "I was planning on going shopping tonight."

"There's always tomorrow, and I prefer you this way," he teases her.

"Smartass…" she retorts, nipping him lightly.

"Married only one week, and already the terms of endearment are gone," Derek laments, playfully.

Meredith squeezes around his cock, still locked inside of her, making him hiss in appreciation. "Who needs words…?" she breathes. "I like to take action sometimes…" Her little fangs graze him again, and as always, he is instantly ready for more.

He gives her a lazily seductive smile, before moving her beneath him this time. "We'll see if you want to bite me now, love…" he whispers, taking her mouth again, rocking them together in a slow slide once more….